Sign



Feb. 2, 1937- c. E. LOUNSBURY ET AL 2,069,319

SIGN

Filed March 21, 19:54

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGN Charles E. Lounsbury and Ralph J.Sheafe,

Chicago, Ill.

Application March 21, 1934, Serial No. 716,598

1 Claim. (Cl. 40130) The present invention relates to signs and moreparticularly to a novel sign construction in which the reflectingmembers or surfaces may be read- I ily assembled, removed and/orreplaced.

Among the objects of the present construction is the provision of anovel base'or mounting for a sign in which reflecting members, units orsurfaces are removably inserted and yieldingly retained.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel base ormounting for a sign constructed of a substantially indestructiblematerial having a longer life and able to withstand greater naturalwear, shocks and abuse than signs now in use.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel signconstruction in which the reflecting units or surfaces are yieldinglybut firmly retained by the resilient material or composition of thebase. I In the preferred embediment, such resilient material consists ofrubber, rubber composition or other similar or suitable resilient oryieldable material, composition or substance having the properties ofwithstanding impacts or abuse without danger of breakage or otherdamage. When assembled, the material of the base retains the reflectingunits firmly in position regardless of weather conditions which wouldtend to cause the base to contract or expand.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel lightreflecting surfaces or members adapted to be mounted in a sign andretained or anchored therein by reason of the shape or con flguration ofsuch surfaces or members.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of novelreflecting units for a sign formed or provided with self-retaining meanspermitting their ready assembly, removal and/or replacement with easeand by one having no previous experience.

Another object of the invention is in the provision in a signconstruction of the novel combination of a resilient or yieldablemounting or base and reflecting members or units adapted to be readilymounted therein after such base or mounting has been completely formedand whereby a damaged reflecting member or unit may be quickly removedand replaced at the location of the sign and without tampering with theremainder of the construction.

A still further object ofthe' present invention is to provide in a signconstruction, readily removable and replaceable reflecting members orunits adapted to be mounted on and retained in position by a yieldableretaining means having suflicient resiliency to permit the snapping intoposition of the reflecting units or members. In the preferredembodiment, the reflecting members or units and the -mounting are formedwith complementary retaining means.

By reason of the present construction, the 'refleeting members orsurfaces may be standardized and inserted wherever necessary, and it isa simple matter to replace a damaged or broken member and maintain thesign at all times at a maximum efficiency and perfect working condition.The construction further eliminates all danger of breakage in transit,as the reflecting units may be assembled or mounted in position afterthe sign has been erected.

, Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,efliciency, economy and ease of assembly, operation, repair andmaintenance; and such further objects, advantages and capabilities aswill later morefully appear,

.featuresand constructions, without departing from. the spirit of theinvention.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of one embodiment ofthe invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section through the signtaken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in horizontal cross section taken on theline 3-3 of Fig. 2, but showing the light reflecting units or members inplan. I

Fig. 4 is a view ment of the sign.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the reflecting unit or member.

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 2 but showing alternateforms of the sign construction.

Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of another form of reflecting unit ormember.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing,the novel sign consists in front elevation of a fragof a mounting orbase I constructed wholly or ing properties. This base may be molded orotherwise formed or fabricated and is freferably encased in a frame orhousing 2 constructed of metal, wood or the like. Upon the base may beformed, painted or outlined letters, numbers, designs or other suitableinsignia or advertising. In the disclosed embodiment letters 3 areoutlined and such outline may be of a contrasting color to that of theremainder of the base, and such outline of contrasting color may beformed or molded in or on the base or mounting and form a part thereof.Also, if found desirable, only the parts forming the letters may be of aresilient or yieldable material such as rubber. composition or othermaterial having like or similar properties.

The base is formed with a plurality of openings or recesses 4 for thereception of light reflecting units 5. These light reflecting unitsshown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 are formed with a projecting or exposedportion 6 in the form of a parabolic curve, an intermediate cylindricalportion 1 and a rear'portion 8 in the form of a spherical curve or are.This latter surface is preferably silvered or plated with mercury orother lightreflecting metal or substance whereby to efllciently reflectthe light shining upon or projected against the sign.

On the cylindrical portion 1 are formed or provided one or more lugs,ears or projections 9, two or more suitably spaced'apart beingpreferable. The openings 4 are so shaped or formcfi as to receive theportions 1 and 8 of the units or members 5, as well as the lugs, ears.orpro'jections 9, which preferably seat in an annular enlargement 4a whenthe units are forced or snapped into the openings. Due to the resiliencyof the material about these openings, such material will expand as theunit is forced into position and after the unit is properly located,will again contract and tightly yet yieldably grip or retain the unit inposition. The lugs or ears 9 will prevent the units from working loosebut will perprovided with a series of mit a manual withdrawal thereofwhen found desirable in order to remove and/or replace a damaged unit orone having a defect. Any contraction or expansion forces due to changein temperature, etc. will not be sufficient to cause such unit toaccidentally work loose and out. In Figs. 2 and 3, the letters 3 areraised or embossed as at In.

Fig. 6 discloses a sign in which the base II is mounted in a frame i2.This base may be of rubber or any other suitable material. The letters,numbers, design or other insignia are openings or recesses I 3 in whichis placed a plastic composition I 4, such as plaster of Paris, resilientor yieldable plastic material, cement or the like. Light reflectingunits l5 are embedded in this plastic material and retained therein byreason of the greater inner cross section or diameter of the units andrecesses having a concave light reflecting units formed which thereforerequire no projections or projecting lugs as in the previous form. Thisreflecting unit I5 is disclosed as provided with an outer or exposedparabolic portion i6, inner reflecting or mirrored spherical portion l1,and an intermediate or connecting portion i8 having the contour of asection of a cone.

In order that the unit may be quickly removed and/or replaced as whendamaged, the opening or recess I3 is shown as decreasing incross-section or diameter throughout its depth whereby the plasticmaterial may be more readily removed, cut or chiselled away.

In Fig. 7 there is disclosed a sign having a body portion or base I9provided with openings or recesses 20 for receiving a plasticmaterialplaced or embedded a or the like 2| in which is light reflectingunit 5. The lugs or projections 9 thereof will more firmly retain theunit in position.

Fig. 8 discloses a sign similar to Fig. 2 but showing a reflecting unit22 in position. Such a reflecting unit is more clearly shown in Fig. 9and is provided with a parabolic exposed part 23, a spherical lightreflecting part 24 and an intermediate cylindrical part 25 of less crosssection to provide an annular recess for the reception of an annularflange or collar 26 formed in the opening or recess in the base ormounting, whereby the unit is suitably retained in adjusted position.

The reflecting units are preferably formed of glass or other transparentunit having like properties, although it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto. The novel construction of the sign,including its novel base or mounting for the light reflecting unitswhereby such units are yieldably but firmly placed and maintained inposition, the novel construction of the reflecting units' and theremovability, replaceability and standardization of the units, should bereadily apparent. The letters, numerals, designs or the like may be ofdifferent or contrasting color than the remainder of the sign, ordifferent color schemes in the sign may be employed if desired.

Having thus disclosed the invention, we claim:

A sign construction comprising in combination, a base formed ofresilient rubber and provided in one of its faces with.a plurality ofbottom, and glass with retaining projections and a complementary convexrear surface adapted to be received in said concavity whereby when theunits are forced into the recesses, the contraction of the rubber andsaid projections seating in the rubber surrounding the recessesanchoring the units in position, but

permitting ready 'removal and/or replacement

